Smith Rock State Park Climbing Itinerary

SMITH ROCK STATE PARK: ROCK CLIMBING

Location: Your program will begin at the main parking area at Smith Rock State Park. Plan to meet your guide in front of the interpretive yurt, located near the fee station and the main bathroom. Please note that there are fee stations and bathrooms in other areas of the park, but there is only one yurt. You will find more detailed directions at the end of this document.

Your meet time and date: Please refer to your email confirmation

After meeting your group and your guide, you can expect to spend a few minutes sorting and issuing gear, fitting shoes and harnesses, and going through logistics for the day. If after reviewing the equipment list you still have questions about what to wear or bring, this is the time to ask, so please bring all of your gear with you. During this session, your guide will brief you on current conditions, weather, and the schedule for the rest of the day.

Once everyone in your group has all the gear they need and all of the pre-program logistics have been sorted, you’ll head out to begin your day of climbing. Usually this involves just a short hike from the lot, but you’ll want to come prepared with the appropriate footwear and a pack to carry your things. Though you may not hike more than twenty minutes from the parking lot, you should be prepared to hike on steep and dusty trails and slopes, and to potentially scramble to reach a climb or climbing area. Water and bathrooms are available in the parking area, and composting toilets are available in some areas of the park, but be aware that in most cases it is not practical to return to the parking lot during the day. Please arrive prepared for the day’s weather, and with all of the gear on the equipment list.

What’s Included: We supply the guide, the ropes, the carabiners, harnesses, helmets, climbing shoes, and the guide’s first aid kit. Please note that food is not included.

What You Need to Bring: Please bring all of the gear that’s on the equipment list. If you don’t have any of the technical gear, it is your responsibility to reserve it from us or to rent from somewhere else, but remember that helmets, harnesses and climbing shoes are included in the cost of your program. Please be sure to let us know if you will require gear from us so that we can have it available when you arrive. Please also read the equipment list carefully and call or email us if you have any questions. We’re here to help. You should also be sure to bring lunch, snacks and water.

Parking Passes & Dog Policies: Please note that parking at Smith Rock State Park requires an Oregon State Parks Pass, and that dogs are not allowed on any SRCS trips. Day passes can be purchased for $5 from the fee station near the yurt in the main parking area. Annual and bi-annual passes are available for $30 and $50 from the campground host in the bivouac area. Smith Rock State Park regulations also require that “all pets must be on leash and under control at all times.” Unfortunately, this means that we’re not able to bring them along as we can’t tie them up while we climb, and we can’t manage them on the technical approaches to many of our climbing areas.

Other Recommendations: We realize that your trip is a big investment. As guides, we can do our best to help you get to the top, but we can never hope to control the weather on or off the mountain. Extenuating circumstances come in many forms that can ruin your plans at the last minute. As a result, we highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to protect yourself in the event that you encounter travel delays or other issues that may prevent you from making it to your program on time. The Travelex Insurance company offers great rates to protect your investment, and you can see their offerings here. We also ask that you review our Trip Preparation and Climber Requirements, as our Policies regarding trip cancellation, refunds, credits or rescheduling.

Directions to Smith Rock State Park:

Smith Rock State Park is located to the east of the town of Terrebonne in the Central Oregonian desert. Without traffic or inclement weather, it should take approximately 35 minutes to reach from Bend, or approximately 3hrs 05mins from Portland. Regardless of whether you’re coming from the north or south, you will take Highway 97 to the town of Terrebone. Our directions begin from there.

From Highway 97 in the town of Terrebonne:

Follow signs to Smith Rock State Park. The turnoff to Smith Rock is located in the center of town near the Redpoint Climber’s Supply.

Turn E (left from the North, right from the South) onto B Ave./Smith Rock Way and continue down the road for ~ 1.5 mi

Turn left onto NE 17thand follow that for .5 mi

Turn right onto Lambert Rd./NE Wilcox St. and follow that for .5 mi

Take the first left onto NE 25th/NE Crooked River Dr./Wallenberg Rd. and continue for about .5 mi

As you reach Smith Rock State Park, you’ll pass the bivouac and RV/Overflow parking areas on the left. Continue past them to where the road curves to the right and you’ll arrive at the main parking area. Look for the yurt on the left. If you reach a cul de sac, you’ve gone too far.

We thank you for choosing to climb with Timberline Mountain Guides and Smith Rock Climbing School and we look forward to seeing you at Smith Rock!